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November 25, 2008

Farewell, bloggers & friends.

Can you believe that it was less than a year ago that I read a blog for the very first time? I was one part 'behind the times' and two parts 'whoever reads blogs has too much time on her hands.' Oh, yes, I was one of those folks, thinking that my life was generally too busy and I was generally too important to spend my time in such trivial ways. Hello, pride, nice to meet you.

Yet here I am, a year later, and my life is so much the richer for living it with this blogging community. I realized while camping recently that blogging has helped me transform my attitude. I am somewhat of a negative thinker, always looking for something to complain about and generally finding it. But when I started my blog I wanted this to be a place of encouragement, of uplifting thoughts, of inspiration, and of peace. And when I began looking for the good in the everyday moments (so that I could take a picture and then blog about it!) I unconsciously built a new habit of looking for the good in life. Who would have thought that the seemingly meaningless activity of recording my thoughts here in words and in pictures could have transformed me in such a way? I am truly amazed at how it happened.

The very first blog I visited was Ali Edwards' blog after reading her inspiring "Life Artist" book. The book made me think of myself as an artist and a participant in life, not just a bystander or a maid (ha! only a mom of preschoolers would think that was her job description!) Reading her blog continued that journey of discovery for me. Then one day when Ali didn't have a new post, I found SouleMama, which became and is still my favorite blog to visit. Just reading Amanda's posts inspires me to slow down, to embrace my life as a mother and a person, to craft something new, to bake something in an old-fashioned way, and again, live life fully in this moment. Those two blogs were such treasures for me when I found them a year ago.

Fast forward to today, where my bloglines list has become so long that it seems like a chore to "get through" all the posts. Where posting on my own blog has become a chore, too. Where I'm in a much different place than I was a year ago, or even eight months ago when I began blogging. I wasn't really sure back then where blogging would take me, but I figured it would be fun since I love writing and photography. But what I didn't know then was how much this process of self-reflection would shape me.

It was rare then, with a one and three year old, to take the time to think about what I was thinking, what I wanted to do, or what I felt about something. In the fog that was toddlerhood, it was hard for me to see the lighthouse of God and of what he was telling my own soul. Emerging from the fog, now, I can see that God was shaping me through this practice of blogging, both reading and writing. He can and does use so many sources to guide us in the most delightful paths for our lives. I'm so thankful for the way he has guided me this year through books I've been reading, a life-changing women's retreat, spiritual disciplines I've been learning, and yes, through blogging.

With that being said, it's time to move on to other pursuits and say goodbye to my blogging here and my daily blog reading time. There are so many other lessons waiting to be learned in my life, and I've got to tear myself away from the computer and get out and learn them. And what more appropriate way to end a blog in this thankful season than by thanking all of you who've joined me on this journey by both reading my blog and by writing yours. Joining the world of blogging served more purposes than I ever thought it could: bringing me a more positive outlook, inspiring me to cook and craft and live more closely to the earth than I ever thought I would, encouraging me to slow down, and connecting me with so many people who've transformed the way I think and live. For that, I will always be truly thankful.

Comments

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I'm hoping that this will be a break for you and that you'll be back someday. I have so enjoyed reading your blog and reading your comments on mine! Best wishes and let me know if you start writing again!

So much of what you say, I hear in my own head. The blogging world is a wondrous place full of creativity, inspiration, connection and thought. You can find yourself hidden on the screen and discover a talent or two. I applaud your commitment to a spiritual path, and wish you the best along your journey.

Awww, so sad to see you go!! And sorry we only connected in the last couple months. I know I am on the same journey, one of self-relection, and learning to find the positive in things. I tend to be a negative person by nature, but my blog has really helped me to begin to turn that around as well. Yes, I agree, hopefully you will stop by from time to time!

You have no idea who I am, but I popped in to read your blog once or twice a week. I've so enjoyed what you've written (and your photos), and I even shared your pumpkin patch photo tips with my daughter (she has two little boys), so thanks for that! :-)

I just wanted to tell you, now that you're leaving, that I've appreciated your thoughts and insights and pictures. (We camped and hiked all over Yosemite for over a week two years ago, so I enjoyed those posts.)

Anyway, best wishes to you as you explore new territory and conquer new challenges and find what the Lord has for you next.

Linn, I surely understand where you are coming from. I wish you the best as you head off to new adventures. You may hear from me via e-mail if I discover that we have Linn links :-)
Best to you....Sandi Linn A.

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